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2012-05-20
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After all the hype and hoopla surrounding the opening of Lupa restaurant by a celebrity NY chef, expectations were understandably high.Lupa did not live up to the press releases.The restaurant space is large but spread out so that diners in different sections are experiencing dramatically different venues.Near the kitchen the tables are fairly well-spaced and conversation with your table mates is comfortable. However, the temperature from the open kitchen is so high that people sitting here ha
Lupa did not live up to the press releases.
The restaurant space is large but spread out so that diners in different sections are experiencing dramatically different venues.
Near the kitchen the tables are fairly well-spaced and conversation with your table mates is comfortable. However, the temperature from the open kitchen is so high that people sitting here had sweat dripping down their backs and faces.
Walking towards the restrooms the temperature gets bearable but the tables are so close together that it is akin to sitting at a crowded diner. The restrooms finally offer some true relief from the heat!
Interestingly, some people in the crowded areas were dressed in jeans and t-shirts and very casual clothes. Near the hot kitchen there was a true smart casual vibe.
The food was non-memorable. Hard to think of this as Italian. The pasta with clams was so ordinary it was laughable. A large plate of what looked and tasted like spaghetti out of a box had only a few clams. The sauce had chillis which is certainly not the norm for this dish which in typically served with a wine/butter reduction sauce.
The duck was ordinary and greasy. The fish in parchment over unwilted spinach was like any piece of white fish served at a ladies lunch. Just steamed fish with no spices except for too much salt. The arugula "salad" is a pile of arugula with no discernible dressing just shavings of cheese. The mushroom starter is a dish of sauteed button mushrooms heavily salted with no other seasoning. Disappointing.
No vegetables or sides accompany the main dishes.
There are no true green vegetables, mixed leaf salads , or soups on the menu.
The Italian ice cream was also a disappointment since it came out melted over the top of the dish (though the coffee was cold).
Nice waitstaff was very attentive.
For HK$1200 per couple the nice decor and lovely staff did in no way make up for this ordinary food.
Save your money- so many other true and excellent Italian dinners to be had in Hong Kong. And the celebrity chef Mario Batali has long since left the kitchen.
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